About – Centro del Pueblo

Statement of Purpose

We create a space for the Indigenous Peoples of the South, Immigrants and Latin community in which we promote awareness of our rights and the cultural and artistic practice of our ancestral roots.

We are a community organization in Humboldt County built through immigrant rights organizing, cultural work, youth programs, and community support. Since 2018, we have led efforts connected to Humboldt’s Sanctuary Law, created a community rapid response network with hundreds of volunteers, organized Know Your Rights workshops, and helped bring immigration attorneys and legal resources to local communities at a time when few existed in the region.

We work with Indigenous migrant and Latinx families across Humboldt County, including Mixteco, Zapoteco, and Quechua-speaking communities. Our work includes youth leadership programs, substance use prevention, mental health support, cultural events, mariachi, gardening and land-based programs, community media, mutual aid, and wellness initiatives connected to local families and communities.

Through partnerships with schools, artists, health workers, volunteers, and community organizations, we continue building spaces for advocacy, culture, education, and community support throughout Humboldt County.

History

Since 2018, Centro del Pueblo has led immigrant rights organizing efforts in Humboldt County, including the campaign for Humboldt’s Sanctuary Law, which gathered more than 6,000 signatures across the county. Centro also created the region’s community rapid response network, building a large volunteer system for verification, reporting, deescalation, and onsite community support during immigration enforcement activity and rumors. The network brought together hundreds of local volunteers and community members to help protect and support immigrant families across Humboldt County.

At a time when few immigrant legal and advocacy resources existed locally, Centro helped bring immigration attorneys, legal workshops, and organizing efforts directly to undocumented and Indigenous migrant communities in Humboldt County. The organization has also supported conversations around Sanctuary Schools, language access, and protections for immigrant students and families through partnerships with schools, educators, and local organizations.

Centro has also organized Know Your Rights workshops, cultural festivals, youth leadership programs, and mental health initiatives for immigrant and Indigenous families across the region.

Centro works with immigrant and Indigenous communities from southern Mexico and Central and South America, including Mixteco, Zapoteco, and Quechua-speaking families living throughout Humboldt County. Programs and outreach may include Spanish and Indigenous language interpretation depending on community needs and available community support.

Through partnerships with schools, colleges, artists, and community organizations, Centro continues organizing around advocacy, culture, education, and community support across Humboldt County.